U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million for Sewer Infrastructure Improvements to Support Business Growth in Watertown, South Dakota
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the city of Watertown, South Dakota, for sewer infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth in the region.
This grant will construct sanitary sewer and lift station improvements at the Watertown Industrial Park. This EDA investment will be matched with $894,811 in local funds and is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to strengthening public infrastructure that will pave the way for future jobs and private investment,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will increase current and future development at the Watertown Industrial Park, helping to grow and diversify the local economy.”
“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support their disaster resiliency and recovery strategies,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will expand capacity for industrial business growth in Watertown to bring good-paying jobs and build economic resilience in the region.”
This project is made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the First District Association of Local Governments (First District). EDA funds First District to bring together the public and private sectors to create and maintain their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy as a roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.